Separator



Dec. 3, 1935.' F. PARDEE ET A1.

SEPARATOR Filed June 29, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Dec. 3, 1935. F. PARDEE ET AL 2,023,287

ATTORNEYS Dec. 3, 1935. F. PARDEE ET AL SEPARATOR Filed June '29, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS l EHA/K1 AEDEE,

ATTQRN EY-S Dec. 3, 1935. F. PARDEE Er AL 'f 2,023,287

SEPARATOR Filed June 29, 1954 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS .t W A/wreos /////r i j-aNfrBqeafEc/.

ATTORN EYS Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEPARATOR Vania Application June 29, 1934, Serial No. 732,985

12 Claims.

This invention relates to separators for handling hard surfaced materials as distinguished from that type of separator, which is adapted to separate soft compressible materials like beans, peas, p-otatoes, etc. The separator of our invention is more particularly adapted for separating coal or similar hard surfaced materials from other hard materials, such as slate, cinders, ashes and the like. A characteristic feature of the invention resides in the provision of a multiplicity of separate hollow receptacles having converging constrictable walls adapted to grip lumps of hard material of high coeicient of friction and to slip relatively to lumps of material of low coeflicient of friction, such receptacles being arranged to carry material of one class to one discharge point and to release the material of the other class at another discharge point upon the removal of the constricting force of the receptacles. The above and other features of the invention will be fully apparent from the following detailed disclosure when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a separator embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2a is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating a resilient support for the carriers of the constrictable receptacles; Fig. 2b is a diagrammatic view of supporting and driving means for the separator drum; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail in longitudinal section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary development of a perforated drum eiective to constrict the receptacles when the latter are moved relatively thereto; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View showing complementary parts of a single constrictable receptacle; Fig. '7 is a perspective view of an alternative form of receptacle; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2a illustrating an alternative type of supporting means for the receptacle carriers; Fig. 9 is a detail section illustrating modied means for moving the receptacle carriers; Fig. 10 is a section on line Ill-ID of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a section on line II--H of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 illustrates a modification in which the contrictable material receiving receptacles open outwardly; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic section on line |3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Referring in detail to the drawings, I0 and I2 represent rotatable members of circular form to which is secured a substantially cylindrical plate I4 having a multiplicity of `perforations I6 formed therein. Members I0 and I2 may either be supported and driven by a shaft I6, as indicated in Fig. 2, or the drum-like structure can be supported from rollers I8, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2b and driven by a pinion 20. 5 In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the drum carries on its exterior spaced resilientI rings 22-22, which 4are adapted to yieldingly or resiliently support a multiplicity of carriers 24. These carriers, inthe embodiment lo illustrated, are of tubular construction and are mounted in arcuate depressions or seats 26 formed in the resilient supports 22. At the ends, the carriers are provided with rotatably journaled rollers 28, which ride on an annular track 30 l5 and also coact with the cam potions 32 and 34 of said track. The resilient members 22-22 press the carriers toward the track and the cam portions 32 and 34 of the track move the carriers inwardly, thus compessing the resilient rings 22. 20 In the modification of Fig. 8, instead of supporting the carriers on rubber rings, an alternative type of resilient support is shown consisting of a compression spring 36 surrounding a rod 38 secured to the carrier 24. 25

In the modification of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the carriers 24 instead of being resiliently supported, are supported by rollers28a, which ride in the race cam groove 40. This cam groove is circular for the greater portion of its length but 30 is provided Awith cam portions corresponding to those indicated at 32 and 34 in Fig. 1. One of these cam portions is indicated at 34a in Fig. 10. With this race cam arrangement coacting with rollers 28a, the carriers are positively moved 35 inwardly and outwardly, as distinguished from the construction in Figs. 2a and 8, where the carriers are resiliently pressed toward the track in the outward direction and are moved inwardly under the inuence of a cam. 40 The carriers 24, regardless of whether they are mounted on resilient supporting members or are positively moved inwardly and outwardly, each are adapted to move relatively to the perforated drum-like plate. Each carrier carries 45 aplurality of hollow constrictable lump-receiving receptacles, such as indicated generally at 42. I'hese receptacles are of substantially conical shape. And when the carriers are moved relativelyto the perforated drum-like plate I4, 50 they are either slightly collapsed or expanded. When the carriers 24 move outward, the outer walls of the receptacle being of cone-like shape coacting with the openings I6 in the perforated drumlike plate I4 are constricted. Inward 55 movement of the carriers permits the receptacles to expand under influence of their inherent spring qualities.

The receptacles 42, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, are each formed of complementary parts 44 and 46. The part 44, at its marginal edges 48, slightly overlaps the juxtaposed edges 5U of the member 46. At their inner ends, the parts 44 and 46 of the receptacle are provided with extensions 52 of angle-shape as shown. The radial anges 52a of these extensions pass through longitudinally extending slots 54 in the carriers 24. And the lateral flanges 52h of the extensions overlap the inner walls of the carrier tubes. The arrangement is such that the complementary members 44 and 46 are fulcrumed or pivotally supported in the slotted portions of the carriers. 'I'he receptacles are made of resilient metal and have a normal tendency toexpand outwardly against the walls of the perforationsY I6. In the modification of Fig. 7, the hollow receptacles instead of being made of separate parts are formed of a single piece of spring metal of substantially conical form having an overlapping portion indicated at 56. These pieces will be mounted merely by passing through suitable apertures in the carriers 24 and a keeper pin may be inserted through the hole 58 of the receptacle or the receptacles can be mounted on pivot pins secured in ears formed on the carriers.

Each carrier 24 is adapted to control the constricting movement of a plurality of lump-receiving receptacles and the carriers in one row are staggered relatively to those in adjacent rows. With such an arrangement, it is considered advantageous to s0 feed the lumps to the separator that they extend, when delivered to a separator, substantially or approximately in a line lengthwise of the separator drum. To these ends, we provide a rotary feeder, which extends into the drum and which is arranged to gently lower the lumps to the interior of the lower portion thereof. This feeder, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted for rotation in a bearing 60 about an axis inclined to the axis of rotation of the separator drum I4, the feeder carrying a ring gear 62 which is driven by a pinion 64 carried by a shaft 66 leading to a suitable source 0f power not shown. The material to be separated is fed through a fixed chute 68 into the end of the rotary feeder. The inlet portion of this feeder is substantially cylindrical, as indicated at 10. But, the delivery part thereof is specially formed of two offset portions 'I2 and 14, each portion comprising a shell of substantially semiconical forrn. These offset semi-conical portions provide discharge outlets 16 and 'I8 diametrically opposite one another, which extend lengthwise of the rotary feeder. Upon rotation, the lump material within the feeder tends to spread out lengthwise of the lower part of the semi-conical portion and upon rotation the lumps are discharged approximately in a straight line. Thus, a good distribution is secured so as to insure that each of the plurality of aligned constrictable receptacles of each carrier will in all likelihood receive a lump. A

The axis of rotation and the proportions of the conical part of the feeder are such that the lower delivery outlet of the cone is substantially parallel with the inner surface of the delivery drum, these surfaces being shown substantially horizontal in the drawings. The arrangement is such that the lump material falls a very short distance. It is, therefore, gently deposited on the separator surface, thus minimizing breakage and the production of undesirable fines.

At the zone where the material is delivered from the feeder to the interior of the drum, the multiplicity of constrictable receptacles are expanded. This is due to the action of the cam portion 32, which presses the carriers 24 inwardly against the resilient action of the compressible supports 22. Therefore, a multiplicity of particles of coal and slate or other hard surfaced materials of differing characteristics each fall into individual receptacles. As the separator drum rotates and the carriers ride away from the cam 32, the carriers tend to move outwardly under the expanding inuence of their yielding supporting members 22. Any receptacle receiving a piece of high frictional material such as slate or cinder will grip it due to the constriction of the walls of the receptacle caused by the tendency of the members 22 to move the carriers outwardly as they travel away from the zone of influence of the cam 32. But any receptacle receiving coal or the like which has a lower coeicient of friction will slip relatively to the constrictable walls thereof as the carrier moves outwardly.

As the receptacles travel around their circular orbit, they will first pass a delivery chute 80. This chute is so located that the coal falling by gravity from the receptacles will be caught therein. 'Ihe slate, cinders, or other high friction substance being held by the constrictable walls of the receptacles will not be delivered into the chute 80, but will be carried to another delivery point, that is to chute 82 located in the zone of influence of the cam 34, which is effective to press the carriers inwardly and thus permit the receptacles to release their grip on the slate or cinder.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated chiefly in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the material to be separated is fed to the interior of the drumlike separator. This has the advantage that any material which drops from the receptacles before delivery to either the chutes or 82 will merely fall down into the interior of the separator drum and will, therefore, have an opportunity to be caught by other receptacles.

Although we consider it advantageous to feed the material to the interior of the separator drum, as in Fig. 3, it is contemplated that in some instances the material may be fed to the exterior of the drum. Such a modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, wherein the drum Ma is effective to exert a constricting action on a multiplicity of outwardly opening constrictable receptacles 42a secured to carriers 24a. These carriers are slotted, as indicated at 84, for coaction with an annular flange 86 having cam portions 88 and 9G.

Cam portion 88 is effective to expand the lump receiving receptacles. The material in this case will be fed from a chute 92. As the separator rotates, the receptacles will tend to close in as they move away from the influence of the cam 88. The slate will be gripped and the coal will be left free, the coal discharging into a chute 94. As the receptacles reach the zone of inuence of the cam 90, they will be expanded and the slate will be discharged into the slate delivery chute 96.

While I have described quite precisely certain specific embodiments of the invention herein i1- lustrated it is to be understood that various modications and substitutions of equivalents may be made Without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:-

1. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of varying frictional characteristics comprising a multiplicity of separate hollow receptacles having tapering constrictable walls effective to grip lumps of high coeicient of friction and to slip relatively to lumps'of low coefficient of friction, constricting means coacting with said .receptacles and mechanically actuated means for effecting a relative movement between said receptacles and said constricting means.

2. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of varying frictional characteristics, comprising a multiplicity of separate hollow receptacles having constrictable converging walls effective to individually grip lumps of high coefficient of friction and to slip relatively to lumps of low coefficient of friction, constricting means embracing said receptacles at points intermediate their lengths and means for moving the receptacles relatively thereto in the direction of their longitudinal axes.

3. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of Varying frictional characteristics, comprising a multiplicity of separate hollow receptacles having constrictable converging walls adapted to grip lumps of high coefficient of friction and to slip relatively to lumps of low coeiiicient of friction, constricting means embracing said receptacles, carriers supporting the receptacles with freedom for movement relatively to said constricting means and means for moving said carriers relatively to said constricting means.

4. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of varying frictional characteristics, comprising a multiplicity of separate hollow receptacles having constrictable converging walls adapted to grip lumps of high coefficient of friction and to slip relatively to lumps of low coeiicient of friction, constricting means embracing said receptacles, yresiliently supported carriers and means for positively moving them relatively to said constricting means.

5. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of varying frictional characteristics, comprising a multiplicity of separate hollow receptacles having constrictable converging walls adapted to grip lumps of high coefficient of friction and to slip relatively to lumps of low coefficient of friction, a plate having perforations whose walls engage said receptacles, carriers for the receptacles and means for eifecting a relative movement between said carriers and said plate.

6. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of varying frictional characteristics, comprising a multiplicity of separate cone-like receptacles adapted to receive individual lumps, constricting means cooperating with said receptacles, a rotatable support for the latter, carriers for said receptacles yieldingly secured to said support and means controlling the movement of said carriers relatively to said constricting means.

7. Apparatus for separating lumps of hard surfaced materials of varying frictional characteristics, comprising a rotary drum having a multi- 5 plicity of perforations therein, tapered lumpreceiving receptacles coacting with the walls of said perforations, supporting means for said receptacles yieldingly secured to said drum and means controlling the relative movement bel0 tween said supporting means and said drum.

8. In an apparatus of the character described,

a perforated member having a plurality of tapered hollow receptacles of spring metal coacting with the perforations thereof and means for movl5 ing the receptacles axially of the perforations.

9. In an apparatus of the character described,

a perforated member, a plurality of hollow receptacles, each comprising complementary semiconical shell-like members assembled in overlap- 20 ping relationship and coacting with the perforations in said member, means for pivotally supporting the latter, and means for moving said supporting means toward and from said perforated member. 25 10. In an apparatus of the character described, a perforated rotary drum having a plurality of longitudinal rows of perforations therein, rows of constrictable cone-like receptacles coacting with said perforations, means for moving the 30 receptacles relatively to said drum, and a rotary feeder having a discharge opening extending lengthwise of said rows and adapted to deliver lumps substantially in a line extending in the same general direction as said rows of receptacles.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a perforated rotary drum having a plurality of longitudinal rows. of perforations therein, rows of constrictable cone-like receptacles coacting with said perforations, means for moving 40 the receptacles relatively to said drum, and a rotary feeder comprising a pair of opposed curved shells offset radially from one another to provide longitudinally extending outlets adapted to release lumps in lines extending in the same general direction as said rows of receptacles and means for rotatably supporting said feeder in operative relationship with said drum.

l2. In an apparatus of the character described, 50 a perforated rotary drum having a plurality of longitudinal rows of perforations therein, rows of constrictable cone-like receptacles coacting with said perforations, means for moving the receptacles relatively to said drum, and a rotary 55 feeder comprising a pair of oppositely disposed semi-frusto conical shells offset radially from one another to provide longitudinally extending outlets adapted to release lumps in lines extending in the same general direction as said rows of 60 receptacles and means for rotatably supporting said feeder in operative relationship with said drum.

FRANK PARDEE. FRANK PARDEE, JR. 65 

